Hilary Benn: Parties have responsibility to protect children

Mr Benn added: “But, I would have thought that by now, all of us, all institutions, would have understood from the historic sex abuse cases that have come to light in the last 10, 20, 30 years about what went on in the past, that we would have realised that any attempt to put the reputation of an institution above the protection of children and vulnerable people is wrong, is absolutely wrong.”

He concluded: “I would say that all political parties, all institutions, all sections of society, have a responsibility to ensure that they put in place measures, proper safeguarding to protect the interests of those who are children and those who are vulnerable.”